73,000 Cars RECALLED – Risk of FIRE

Yellow sign with RECALL text against blue sky.

In an unexpected development, Volvo has issued a recall for 73,000 of its plug-in hybrid vehicles globally due to a potentially dangerous defect in their high-voltage battery system.

See the tweet below!

This flaw could lead to a short circuit, posing a significant fire risk when these cars are parked after being fully charged.

While addressing the broader issue, Volvo vehicle owners find themselves in limbo, waiting for a secure solution.

The recall affects 7,483 vehicles in the U.S. and spans several models, including the 2020-2021 Volvo S90s and several 2020-2022 models.

Vehicles such as the S60s, V60s, XC60s, XC90s, and 2022 V90s are among those at risk.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a bulletin advising owners of these models to refrain from charging their cars due to the potential fire hazard.

The core issue appears to stem from a production deviation involving the LG battery module.

This defect can lead to a short circuit when the battery is fully charged, resulting in what the NHTSA calls a “thermal event.”

Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, crashes, or fatalities associated with this defect, although Volvo acknowledges two incidents so far.

Owners can verify if their cars are affected by using the NHTSA’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup tool.

Those impacted will begin receiving recall notifications around mid-May.

However, the essential advice remains: owners are asked not to charge their cars until a Volvo dealer inspects and updates them.

This recall is not just a U.S. issue but spans globally, with significant numbers in Sweden and Germany.

In Germany, for instance, around 4,825 vehicles are affected.

The recall procedure will involve inspecting the battery modules for cell deviations, replacing them if necessary, and conducting a software update to better monitor battery status, providing peace of mind to Volvo’s global community of drivers.

Given Volvo’s reputation for safety, it’s crucial they handle this matter with the urgency and precision it deserves.

With the world moving towards greener energy solutions, it’s concerning that a renowned automaker faces such basic manufacturing errors.

While the affected owners must halt charging, the trust in Volvo’s commitment to resolving this hiccup remains integral.

The remaining question is, as we navigate the age of electric and hybrid vehicles, will other automakers face similar challenges?